Silicon Extraction from Recycled Solar Cells

In this study "Recovery of complete crystalline silicon cells from waste photovoltaic modules," a new process combining organic solvent method and thermal treatment is provided with the main objective efficient recovery intact cells. Pre-heating ultrasonic-assisted toluene dissolution EVA adhesive film are used to strip fluorine-containing backsheets, which centrally processed reused achieve environmental protection resource reuse. The then thermally degraded obtain cell. Finally, Ag Al were efficiently recovered by chemical methods. optimized has advantages high integrity rate recycled cells, low recycling cost pollution.

Source

A method for recycling photovoltaic modules by using a wet purification process to extract silicon from the module structure. The process involves sequential alkali cleaning, pickling, and drying steps to remove contaminants and silicon residue from the module's backplate, glass, and frame. The silicon is then extracted through the wet purification process, which uses a combination of alkali and acid solutions to dissolve and separate the silicon from other impurities. The extracted silicon is then purified further through multiple rinses and drying steps before being processed into high-purity silicon.

Source

A novel method for efficient and environmentally friendly silicon and silver recycling from waste solar panels. The process utilizes a molten alkali leaching method to selectively extract and recover silicon and silver from the solar panel's metallurgical-grade silicon (MG-Si) and metallurgical-grade silicon (MG-Si) wafers, respectively. The recovery process involves a controlled temperature and salt composition in the molten salt, enabling rapid separation of the target materials from the remaining photovoltaic material. The method achieves higher purity silicon and silver recoveries compared to conventional recycling methods, with a simplified preparation process and lower environmental impact.

Source

A novel method for efficient and environmentally friendly silicon recycling from solar cells. The process involves a two-stage treatment sequence: first, the solar cells are soaked in a sodium hydroxide solution to remove surface layers, followed by a mixed acid treatment of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid. This sequential approach enables the recovery of both silicon and valuable metals while minimizing waste generation. The method achieves high silicon recovery rates, especially for silicon-containing solar cells, and presents a practical alternative to traditional acid-based recycling methods.

Source

A recycling method for photovoltaic modules that achieves high-quality silicon recovery through controlled laser cleaning and etching. The method employs laser cleaning to remove glass and chip residue, followed by sequential etching steps to remove the silicon wafer and aluminum back electrode. The laser cleaning process uses different power settings to prevent chip damage while ensuring complete separation of the components. The etching process employs controlled etching parameters to remove the remaining aluminum and silver electrodes. This approach enables the selective recovery of high-quality silicon wafers while preserving the integrity of the glass plates.

Source

A novel method for producing high-purity silicon from solar waste by selectively leaching metals from silicon waste using a controlled acid dissolution process. The method involves crushing solar cells, followed by a multi-stage acid leaching process where specific metals like aluminum, silver, tellurium, barium, lead, bismuth, vanadium, zinc, strontium, calcium, and iron are selectively dissolved from the silicon. The leaching process is optimized for each metal type using different acid concentrations and leaching times, followed by solid-liquid separation and purification steps. The resulting purified silicon can be further processed to achieve even higher purity levels.

Source

A method for recycling photovoltaic modules that enables complete recovery of aluminum, silver, and silicon wafers while maintaining their photovoltaic properties. The recycling process involves a two-step approach: first, dismantling and heat treatment of the module to separate the battery sheet and other components, followed by confinement heat treatment of the battery sheet to achieve a uniform temperature across the entire sheet. This step preserves the structural integrity of the aluminum frame, junction box, and tempered glass while achieving a uniform temperature across the entire sheet. The confinement heat treatment process is optimized to preserve the silicon-aluminum alloy layer and its microstructure. The resulting silicon wafers are then texturized to create a nano-textured surface with unique properties that enhance light absorption and reflectivity.

Source

A method for efficiently extracting high-purity silicon from waste solar panels using a novel acid-leaching process. The process involves crushing the solar cells, followed by sequential acid leaching steps using nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. The acid leaching process selectively targets and separates impurities from the silicon, resulting in a high-purity silicon product. The method achieves a purity of 99.9% or higher, making it suitable for direct use as raw material for silicon carbide production.

Source

A solar cell chip recycling device that enables efficient recovery of valuable materials from solar panels while minimizing environmental impact. The device comprises a conveying system with sequential collection of acid-base waste liquids, including hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and nitric acid, which are then processed in a controlled environment. The system incorporates a series of tanks with integrated cleaning systems, including a reaction tank positioned between the acid collection tanks, which enables the recovery of valuable silicon material. The device utilizes a unique flow system with a fixed frame for the tanks, allowing for precise control over the recycling process.

Source

A method for efficient silicon recovery from photovoltaic modules through selective separation of silicon from glass and other components. The process involves using high-frequency oscillation (HFO) to separate silicon from the grading material in the photovoltaic cell, while maintaining the glass and other components intact. This approach ensures precise control over the silicon content in the final product, enabling more accurate separation of silicon from other materials.

Source

A recycling process for solar panels that leverages silicon extraction and chemical processing to create valuable materials. The process involves extracting silicon from the panel through a wafer extraction step, followed by heat treatment to remove glass and backsheet components. Silicon powder is then processed to produce micro- and nano-sized particles through ball milling, which are then chemically etched to remove metal impurities. The resulting silicon powder is then converted into a high-quality silicon nitride through nitridation. The process enables the recovery of valuable silicon components while producing a valuable silicon nitride product.

Source

A process for recovering valuable metals and silicon from silicon solar cells. The method involves a multi-step approach that selectively removes and recovers silicon, metals, and other components from solar cells, achieving a 90% recovery rate. The process employs a combination of chemical and mechanical separation techniques to extract silicon, metals, and other valuable materials from the solar cells, with the silicon recovered as a feedstock for photovoltaic applications.

Source

A method for recycling silicon solar cells through a process that enables environmentally friendly processing of the generated waste. The method involves converting the solar cell waste into a liquid solution that can be safely disposed of without causing environmental harm. This process eliminates the need for destructive incineration, which is typically associated with traditional solar cell disposal methods. The resulting liquid solution contains valuable materials like silicon, metals, and other recyclable materials that can be extracted and reused in the production of new solar cells.

Source

A method for recycling silicon from the photovoltaic industry chain that enables the production of high-purity silicon for solar panels. The process involves a series of purification steps, including ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum degassing, and classification, to achieve the desired solar-grade silicon quality. The method addresses the conventional problem of silicon doping contamination during the recycling process by implementing a dedicated cleaning and purification sequence that removes impurities while maintaining the integrity of the silicon material.

Source

A solar silicon waste recycling method for silicon-based materials, particularly for photovoltaic applications. The process involves recycling silicon waste slurry through a multi-step filtration and processing sequence to separate silicon carbide, iron slag, and polyethylene glycol. The silicon carbide is then converted into high-purity silicon powder, which is used to produce agricultural liquid silicon fertilizer. This closed-loop system enables the efficient recovery of valuable silicon components from waste silicon slurry, replacing the traditional disposal of silicon waste and achieving a significant reduction in environmental impact.

Source

A solar cell environmental recovery system that enables the recycling of silicon solar cell components while maintaining their high-quality output. The system comprises a solar cell, an aluminum removal system connected in series with the solar cell, a silver system, a silver powder reduction system, and a silicon recovery system. The system incorporates detection and monitoring capabilities to ensure the recovery process meets stringent quality standards.

Source

A method for recycling silicon and silicon-containing components from solar modules and cells through a single-step process that preserves the high-quality silicon content. The process involves thermal separation of the solar cell material, followed by a precise separation of glass and cell fracture, and then a selective removal of the silicon fraction. The separation of glass and cell fracture is achieved through an optical sorting technique, while the silicon fraction is purified through a combination of mechanical grinding and selective leaching. This approach enables the recovery of all silicon components from solar module waste, including trace metals, without the need for multiple processing steps or specialized equipment.

Source

A method for recycling crystalline silicon solar panels through a comprehensive dismantling process that extracts valuable materials from the frame, glass, silicon wafers, aluminum, silver, and copper components. The recycling process involves mechanical separation of the components, followed by chemical processing to extract the valuable materials. This approach enables the recovery of critical components like silicon, aluminum, silver, and copper while minimizing waste generation.

Source

A method for recovering valuable materials from solar cells through a novel process that separates the primary metal constituent from the semiconductor material. The method involves mixing the solar cell with a solid solution containing the primary metal, followed by centrifugation and heating to separate the metal from the semiconductor. The separated metal can then undergo refining processes, including electrolysis and electrochemical processing, to achieve high-purity metal recovery.

Source

As photovoltaic (PV) installations expand globally, effective recycling of end-of-life crystalline silicon solar cells has become increasingly important, including the recovery valuable metals such as silver (Ag) and aluminium (Al). Traditional nitric acid-based chemical leaching methods, although effective, present environmental challenges due to generation hazardous nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. To address these concerns, this study investigated alternative hydrometallurgical strategies. Two selective treatments (NaOH for Al, NH3 + H2O2 Ag) one simultaneous treatment (HNO3 H2O2) were evaluated metal efficiency. All methods demonstrated high efficiencies, achieving at least 99% both within 60 min. The effectively suppressed NOx emissions without compromising These findings confirm that techniques incorporating hydrogen peroxide can achieve efficient environmentally safer from cells, providing insights into development more sustainable practices waste management.

Source

A physical recycling method for waste silicon photovoltaic laminates that effectively separates silicon chips and glass panels while minimizing environmental risks. The method employs a combination of liquid nitrogen immersion, mechanical removal, and mechanical friction to recover valuable materials from the laminates. The process involves heating the laminates to 350-450°C to decompose the EVA and PET layers, followed by controlled mechanical removal and mechanical friction to separate the silicon chips from the glass and backplane components. This approach enables complete silicon chip recovery while maintaining the integrity of the glass and backplane materials, significantly reducing the environmental impact of traditional recycling methods.

Source

A novel method for recycling silicon materials from solar cells that addresses the challenges of current recycling processes. The method involves a multi-step process that separates and purifies silicon from the solar cell components. The process begins by removing the glass and metal components, followed by crushing the remaining silicon material into fragments. These fragments are then mixed with a surfactant and further processed to separate the silicon from the other materials. The purified silicon is then refined to produce high-purity silicon ingots. This approach enables the recovery of valuable silicon components while minimizing the generation of hazardous materials during the recycling process.

Source

A method for extracting valuable components from photovoltaic panels through controlled thermal disassembly, enabling the recovery of reusable materials. The process involves cooling the photovoltaic panel's glass structure with liquid nitrogen while maintaining structural integrity, followed by mechanical separation of the glass and aluminum frame. The cooled glass is then processed to remove contaminants and prepare it for further processing into raw materials. The aluminum frame is then extracted and processed into individual profiles, which can be used in new photovoltaic panels or other products.

Source

A green and efficient method for the separation and recycling of photovoltaic modules containing silicon-containing waste. The method involves pyrolyzing the core components to produce glass, solder ribbons, and battery sheets, followed by cleaning, vacuum drying, and recycling of these residues. The process then converts the cleaned battery sheets into a nitric acid solution containing silver nitrate, aluminum nitrate, and impurities, followed by the controlled leaching of silver and aluminum to produce high-purity metal ions. The recovered metal ions are then converted into usable form through selective precipitation, ion exchange, or electrolysis.

Source

A method for efficient and environmentally friendly recycling of photovoltaic module components through chemical treatment. The method involves the recovery of silicon, silver, and aluminum from decommissioned photovoltaic modules through anhydrous sulfuric acid treatment, followed by selective enrichment of these metals through chemical separation. This process enables the recovery of valuable metals without requiring complex acid leaching processes or high-energy thermal treatments. The recovered metals can be used directly in the production of new photovoltaic cells or other semiconductor applications, while minimizing environmental impact.

Source

A method for recycling photovoltaic modules through a single-step process that efficiently recovers all components, including glass, plastic, aluminum, copper, silver, and silicon. The method involves thermal cutting to separate components, followed by crushing and sorting of cells to obtain tinned copper strips and cell powders. The copper strips are then processed using acid leaching to extract silver, while the silicon powder is purified through a combination of acid leaching and chemical treatment. The purified components are then combined to form a new product with high value-added properties.

Source

Method for recycling photovoltaic modules by selectively separating and recovering valuable components through electrostatic separation. The method involves mechanically separating the module's sandwich structure, shredding the resulting particles, and then using an electrostatic separator to separate the particles into two distinct fractions. The first fraction contains less than 5% polymer particles and is substantially free of glass particles, while the second fraction contains higher polymer content. The fractions are then further processed through multiple electrostatic separations, with the second fraction being recycled back into the process.

Source

Method for producing high-purity silicon nanopowder from solar panel waste, followed by its use as a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. The process involves rapid cooling of the solar panel to separate its components, followed by the recovery of silicon scrap. The silicon is then processed using vacuum thermal plasma to produce high-purity silicon nanopowder. This nanopowder is then used as a negative electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, offering a significant environmental and economic alternative to traditional battery materials.

Source

Separating and recycling silicon wafers from photovoltaic modules through a novel pulsed airflow sorting process. The method employs a combination of mechanical and airflow separation techniques to isolate silicon wafers from photovoltaic module components, particularly from glass fragments and cell sheets, after the organic layer is removed. This enables efficient separation and subsequent purification of silicon wafers, which are typically recovered as valuable material in the photovoltaic recycling process.

Source

A low-cost method for recycling waste silicon from solar panels by pyrolysis and grinding of waste silicon, specifically targeting EVA contamination. The process involves cutting the silicon into smaller pieces, grinding them into a fine powder, and then applying controlled low-temperature pyrolysis to thermally decompose the EVA while simultaneously grinding the silicon to produce high-purity powder. This integrated approach eliminates the need for multiple chemical treatments and high-temperature melting, significantly reducing the environmental impact and energy requirements of the traditional recycling process.

Source

A method for efficiently recovering precious metals from solar cells through a multi-step process that leverages the unique properties of silicon and metal ions. The method involves first cleaning the solar cells, followed by a selective leaching process using high-pressure extraction and acid treatment to separate the metal ions. The extracted metal solution is then subjected to selective precipitation and purification steps to recover the desired precious metals, including silver, gold, and platinum. This process enables the recovery of valuable metals from solar cells without compromising the structural integrity of the silicon substrate.

Source

A single-step process for removing metal impurities from silicon in photovoltaic cells. The process involves dissolving silicon in a solution containing acid, where the acid selectively precipitates the metal impurities while leaving the silicon in solution. The solution is then filtered and purified through a combination of acid-resistant filters and vacuum filtration. The filtered solution is then re-dissolved and re-purified through electrolysis to recover the metal impurities. The process can be repeated multiple times to achieve high purity metal recovery.

Source

Thermal decomposition of encapsulating materials in solar cells to facilitate component separation. The process involves heating the encapsulating material (EVA) in a crucible at elevated temperatures (350-600°C) until it decomposes completely, separating the solar cell components while preserving their performance. This selective decomposition enables the recovery of individual solar cell components, including silicon, glass, and metals, while maintaining their original properties.

Source

A novel method for producing high-purity silicon from waste sludge generated during solar manufacturing, which is then used as a raw material for various applications. The process involves filtering and drying the waste sludge to produce a powder with a water content of 58% or less, followed by heat treatment to produce high-purity silicon. The waste sludge is produced from solar silicon wafering processes, particularly those using diamond wire sawing. The heat treatment process removes 90% or more of the organic carbon and metal compounds, resulting in a silicon powder with a purity of 98% or higher. This method offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional high-purity silicon production methods, particularly for applications requiring high-purity silicon, such as deoxidizers for steel production and negative electrode materials for secondary batteries.

Source

A process for extracting valuable materials from solar waste modules, particularly silicon-based components, through a multi-step emulsification method. The process involves extracting industrial refined oil from the module's components, separating the oil from the silicon wafer and ribbon wire, and then extracting the valuable metals (tin, lead, and silver) from these components. The process enables the recovery of high-value materials from conventional solar waste, reducing the environmental impact of traditional recycling methods.

Source

Method for recycling crystalline silicon photovoltaic materials through selective melting of different elements. The process involves crushing and sieving photovoltaic cells to extract cell powder, which is then subjected to thermal treatments to separate aluminum, silver, and polysilicon. The thermal treatments exploit the different melting points of these elements in the photovoltaic cells, allowing selective recovery of the materials through controlled heating processes.

Source

A method for efficient photovoltaic cell recycling through the recovery of valuable materials from spent solar panels. The process involves a two-step acid treatment sequence: first, a concentrated acid solution is applied to the photovoltaic cells to dissolve silicon, aluminum, and silver ions, followed by a controlled pH adjustment and temperature reduction. The resulting precipitates are then purified to recover the desired materials, enabling the creation of high-quality, recyclable photovoltaic cells.

Source

A method for recycling waste photovoltaic materials by combining acid leaching with wet acid leaching to recover valuable elements from solar cells. The process involves pretreating the solar cells by burning the EVA film and removing the glass and TPT backplane, followed by etching the surface with a mixed acid solution. The etched cells are then treated with a wet acid leaching solution containing sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate, resulting in the recovery of polysilicon, aluminum ions, and silver ions. The leaching solution is made from industrial-grade nitric acid with a 4.5 mol/L concentration, and the acid-resistant reactor is used to facilitate the acid leaching process.

Source

A method for efficient and cost-effective recycling of photovoltaic modules and solar panels by using an electrolytic bath to extract valuable materials. The process involves dissolving the silicon in a solution with a pH above 7.5, then depositing the silicon in an electrolytic bath with a solution having a pH above 7.5. The silicon deposition process is accelerated by heating the bath between 45°C to 90°C and using an ultrasonic source or circulation pump with filter unit. The resulting silicon is then removed from the photovoltaic module through a controlled carrier layer detachment process. The silicon can be further processed to produce valuable materials like aluminum, copper, tin, silver, and gold.

Source

A recycling method for waste silicon solar cells that addresses the environmental and material management challenges associated with traditional disposal. The process involves a multi-step extraction and purification sequence: 1. Mechanical removal of aluminum frame and junction box from the solar cell module, followed by aluminum recycling. 2. Thermal treatment of the remaining components to protect the bonding film and organic backing plate. 3. Removal of the front glass panel. 4. Extraction of the silicon substrate and metal components through a mixed solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and tin(IV) chloride (SnCl4). 5. Filtration and separation of the metal components from the silicon. 6. Precipitation of lead ions from the lead-tin solder and copper wire, followed by purification of the lead and copper. 7. Electrodeposition of tin from the tin(IV) chloride solution to produce high-purity tin metal. 8. Recovery of the silicon wafer through leaching with nitric acid, followed by purification through selective precipitation of tin and copper. 9. Final purification of the silicon wafer through hydroxide treatment and phosphoric acid treatment to achieve a purity of 99.9999%. This comprehensive recycling approach addresses the environmental concerns associated with traditional solar cell disposal by

Source

A process for recycling silicon wastes from solar modules through a single-step reaction of elemental silicon with red mud and a flux at elevated temperatures to produce a carbon-free ferrosilicon alloy. The reaction achieves the desired carbon content of 0.01 wt.-% while eliminating the need for separate carbon-containing reduction steps. The process involves heating the starting mixture to high temperatures (800-1700 °C), followed by controlled cooling to achieve the desired carbon content. This single-step process enables efficient recycling of silicon waste from solar modules, solar cells, and other silicon-containing products, without the need for separate reduction steps or intermediate carbon-containing materials.

Source

A single system for recycling waste crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules that enables pure water production, ribbon wire material recovery, and wafer material recovery through a unified process. The system integrates multiple modules into a single tray system, where each module is processed simultaneously in a single tank. The tray contains a purification step followed by acid washing, followed by a reaction step where the modules are processed with nitric acid, and finally, a separation step to recover precious materials like copper, silver, and lead. The system achieves pure water production through advanced water treatment processes, and simultaneously recovers valuable materials from the modules.

Source

A method for recycling solar cell fragments to recover valuable materials. The process involves selectively removing metal components from solar cells, followed by mechanical separation and chemical treatment to extract the metals. The method enables the recovery of high-value materials such as metals, including silver, from solar cell waste, while minimizing environmental impact through controlled processing.

Source

A method for efficiently separating silicon from solar cell waste through a combination of thermal processing and mechanical separation. The method involves heating the solar cell assembly to a temperature above 450°C, followed by a controlled cooling step that allows the EVA layer to cool uniformly. This temperature-controlled cooling enables precise separation of the glass and backsheet layers, while preventing thermal degradation of the EVA layer.

Source

A method for recycling crystalline silicon waste from diamond wire saw slurry, enabling the recovery of high-purity silicon and crystalline silicon. The process involves collecting diamond wire saw slurry from solar cell manufacturing operations, processing it to remove ultra-fine silica fume, and then purifying the resulting slurry to achieve 99.9%+ purity. This slurry can be directly used to produce high-purity silicon and crystalline silicon for solar cell production, significantly reducing waste and environmental impact while promoting resource recovery and cost savings.

Source

A method for recovering valuable materials from silicon solar cell waste through selective dissolution of metal layers. The process involves selectively dissolving the metal layers, followed by separation and recovery of the metal components, and finally purification and washing of the resulting silicon. This approach enables the recovery of aluminum, silver, and other valuable metals from silicon solar cell waste streams, while maintaining high-quality silicon for solar panel production.

Source

A process for extracting high-purity silicon from waste silicon cutting liquid through a solid-liquid separation and acid treatment step. The process involves washing and drying the waste liquid, then treating the solid phase to produce a precursor material. The precursor material is then melted and cast into ingots, where it undergoes further processing to produce high-purity silicon. The process employs a combination of solid-liquid separation, acid treatment, and vacuum melting to effectively recover silicon from waste cutting liquid while maintaining high purity levels.

Source